Knee injury won't hold HHS pitcher back

The spring has been bittersweet for Havre's Rachel Majeres. Unfortunately, due to injury, the All-State senior will not suit up for Blue Pony softball team this season or ever again on the diamond. But on the bright side, the end of Havre High's season won't signal the end of Majeres' softball career.

In fact, it will be far from it.

    That's because Majeres will be continuing her playing days this fall as a member of the Dawson Community College Buccaneers. Back in February, Majeres signed on to play softball for DCC and is expected to play a major role in the program as both a pitcher, where she has been dominant in her high school career, and at the plate, where she is a strong power hitter.

"I was super excited," Majeres said. "I have always wanted to play college softball. And it's just great that I'm going to actually get to go do it. It won't replace this season and the times I will miss playing with my friends, but it has helped knowing that I will at least get to play in college."

In a press release put out by DCC back on Feb. 15, head coach Jim LeProwse made this statement about Majeres joining the program.

"Rachel is a very talented left-handed pitcher and swings the bat very well from the left side of the plate. She has home-run power and hits the gaps in the outfield as well as anyone. I expect Rachel to be one of my top hitters and also win a lots of games in the circle for us next season. I am extremely excited to have Rachel become part of my team next season. She will do great things at Dawson."

According to Majeres, she will have the opportunity to play right away and will see time not only as a pitcher but in the outfield as well.

"The coach said that a big reason why he wanted me was my bat," Majeres said. "So I am still going to pitch but I am going to be in the outfield, too."

In 2014, Majeres was an essential part of an HHS team that earned a trip to the Class A state softball tournament and eventually knocked off Miles City 7-5 before being eliminated from the tournament. As a junior, Majeres earned Central A All-Conference and Class A All-State honors. Majeres also made her way onto the Central A All-Conference team as an honorable mention following her sophomore season in 2013.

Yet, Majeres was more than just a softball player at HHS. She was a reliable contributor on the girls basketball team this past season before a knee injury sidelined her late in the year. That injury kept her from playing in the Central A divisionals or the Class A state tournament. However, as a junior, she saw the floor and was part of the Ponies' 2014 Class A state title team. Majeres also competed in cross country and earned her way onto the varsity squad.

While Majeres achieved plenty as a three-sport athlete for the Ponies, she is looking forward to the next step of her athletic journey with the Bucs. But first things first, she needs to get healthy, which is her primary focus right now as she attempts to be on the field when DCC opens its season in the fall.

"I should be ready by then" Majeres said. "I am supposed to have a 90-day recovery time and I have been doing physical therapy a couple times a week, so hopefully I will be ready."